Video and photo gallery: Young performers at The Garage in Norwich give the fairytale Cinderella a vintage revamp

Young performers gave a fairytale a vintage make-over with a war-time Norfolk twist for their summer production.

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The show Vintage Cinders which was performed at The Garage, in Norwich, on Friday and Saturday saw the classic story of Cinderella transported to 1945 as the war in Europe nears its conclusion.

Florence “Cinders” – played by 15-year-old Megan Herring – and her friends were evacuated from London but they struggled to settle into their new life on a Norfolk farm, and as the re-imagined fairytale unfolded the audience was treated some vintage glamour, a sprinkling of comedy, and a variety of musical numbers.

The Cinderella Production Company spent the last two weeks creating the show, which has a cast of 39 aged eight to 19.

Carrie Mansfield, artistic director for the production said: “This is definitely one of my favourite events of the year. We get to be really creative and have loads of fun.

“Many of the young people have never done anything like this before, but over the course of the two weeks they gain so much confidence and become real professionals!”

Twenty-year-old Sophie Skyring, from Marlpit, was a volunteer assistant choreographer for the show. She said: “People may think they know the Cinderella story, but this is completely different.

“It is a fairy-tale, but it has been made more real by being set in the second world war.

“The costumes and the music and everything are like walking back into the time.”

Darren Grice, director of The Garage, said the youngsters had done a brilliant job with the show.

He said The Garage had also had great support from local individuals and businesses, including Mark Wright of vintage outlet Taxi, on Norwich Market, who provided most of the costumes, props and set dressing, and Heather Lovering, of Lovering and Co, who provided some vintage accessories.

He said: “As a relatively small charity we really couldn’t do this without all of our fantastic supporters; from local trusts and grant giving bodies such as the John Jarrold, Chivers and Paul Bassham Trusts, to national funders such as the John Thaw Foundation and volunteers.

“We cannot thank them all enough for helping us to make this experience one that all of the children and young people will remember for years to come”.

Just before the show started, the audience was shown a short film called The Friendly Invasion, which explores Norfolk’s links with America during the Second World War.

Twelve young people have made the film with film-maker Pete Harmer and local reminiscence groups, and the film is part of Norfolk’s American Connections project.

• Are you involved in a new arts project? Call reporter Emma Knights on 01603 772428 or email emma.knights@archant.co.uk

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The Garage's Summer Show - Cinderella. Pictures by James Bass

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Dress rehearsal of The Garage's summer show - a vintage-themed Cinderella.
Picture: James Bass

Dress rehearsal of The Garage's summer show - a vintage-themed Cinderella.
Picture: James Bass

Dress rehearsal of The Garage's summer show - a vintage-themed Cinderella.
Picture: James Bass

Dress rehearsal of The Garage's summer show - a vintage-themed Cinderella.
Picture: James Bass

Dress rehearsal of The Garage's summer show - a vintage-themed Cinderella.
Picture: James Bass

Dress rehearsal of The Garage's summer show - a vintage-themed Cinderella.
Picture: James Bass

Dress rehearsal of The Garage's summer show - a vintage-themed Cinderella.
Picture: James Bass

Dress rehearsal of The Garage's summer show - a vintage-themed Cinderella.
Picture: James Bass

Dress rehearsal of The Garage's summer show - a vintage-themed Cinderella.
Picture: James Bass

Dress rehearsal of The Garage's summer show - a vintage-themed Cinderella.
Picture: James Bass

Dress rehearsal of The Garage's summer show - a vintage-themed Cinderella.
Picture: James Bass

Dress rehearsal of The Garage's summer show - a vintage-themed Cinderella.
Picture: James Bass